From UNLVino’s 40th anniversary to a hotly contested fight night between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley at MGM Grand Garden Arena, ’tis indeed a weekend to eat, drink and be merry.

Here’s a look at our weekend best bets:

Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

Thursday - Saturday: UNLVino

Las Vegas’ original wine-and-spirits festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this weekend with a slate of events at Strip venues offering delectable concoctions from celebrity chefs and wine and spirits galore. Proceeds benefit scholarships for students of UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. Times, venues and ticket prices vary.

Steve Marcus

Saturday: Pacquiao vs Bradley 2 at MGM Grand

Manny Pacquiao looks to settle the score against Timothy Bradley during a welterweight fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The brawl is a rematch of their controversial 2012 fight where Bradley ended Pacquiao’s seven-year undefeated streak by taking a split decision considered one of the worst in the sport's history. Whatever the outcome, expect plenty of drama. The event starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $150 to $1,000.

Saturday: Bryan Ferry at the Palms

If you can’t make it to Coachella, you can still catch glam rock pioneer and Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry at Pearl at the Palms, where fans can expect to hear career-spanning hits such as “Love Is the Drug” and “Let’s Stick Together.” The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49 to $99.

Friday: TEDxUNLV

UNLV hosts its inaugural student-organized TEDx event featuring 15 speakers ranging from professors to students who will give short inspirational talks on topics including psychology, education and Las Vegas. Event tickets are sold out, but the lectures can be streamed via live webcast. The talks are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday - Saturday: Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the Smith Center

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the world-renowned Preservation Hall brings the spirit of New Orleans jazz to Cabaret Jazz in the Smith Center for the Performing Arts with a timeless, high-energy show led by director Ben Jaffe, son of group founders Allan and Sandra Jaffe. Tickets are $39 to $50. Shows are at 6 and 9 p.m. both days.

AP

Friday: Mount Potosi plane crash talk at Sahara West Library

Author Robert Matzen discusses his book “Fireball: Carole Lombard and The Mystery of Flight 3,” examining the the response, mystery and investigation surrounding the 1942 Mount Potosi, Nev., plane crash that killed the popular 33-year-old actress. The free lecture begins at 2 p.m.

As part of its ongoing “Grand Renovation,” MGM Grand has remodeled all rooms and suites in its main tower and is adding several new experiences to its lineup including Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub, a new upscale dining/nightlife concept (coming in April 2013).

MGM Grand also features a state-of-the-art, non-smoking conference center, the Grand Spa, Cristophe Salon, "CSI: The Experience" and an inviting pool complex featuring the tantalizing daylife of Wet Republic.

Upscale accommodations include The Mansion, an exclusive hotel within the hotel; the luxurious two-story SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand; and The Signature at MGM Grand, a luxury all-suite, non-gaming hotel located adjacent to the main resort.

3799 Las Vegas Boulevard S.Las Vegas,
NV89109

702-891-1111

Caesars Palace

Transport yourself to the opulent and excessive Roman Empire at Caesars Palace. But the ever-changing Caesars Palace is far from ancient. The hotel and casino is constantly raising the bar for what visitors can expect in a Vegas resort experience.

Caesars Palace features 3,348 rooms and suites in five towers, including the new luxury boutique Nobu Hotel and Restaurant, which opened Feb. 4, 2013, in the totally remodeled Centurian Tower. Caesars features 129,000 square feet of gaming space, including the Strip’s largest poker room and a 250-seat sports book. Other amenities include about two dozen restaurants, a four-level shopping mall, four pools, a spa, Pure and Poetry nightclubs and Pussycat Dolls.